How To Deal WithA Messy World

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

“And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you

can’t stand up against it.” 10:13b NLT

ThemeGod’s Promise:

Every temptation we experience

is just weak enough

so that together – with God

we can resist it.

IntroductionWe Have A Common Problem: Life Is Messy & We Mess Up.

1. Lots Of Messy Problems With Messy Consequences

Israelites rescued but rebellious – they didn’t live to see the Promised Land (1-6)

Israelites spiritual Idolatry – 23,000 die in a day (7-11)

2. Lots Of Warnings About Messy Living (6,11)

Same problems today

Same consequences today

3. God offers help

1 Corinthians 10:12,1312 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you

don’t fall!

13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to

man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted

beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he

will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

13 But remember that the temptations that come into your

life are no different from what others experience. And God is

faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong

that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he

will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.

1. INEVITABLE: You can’t escape the mess in a messy world

12a So, if you think you are standing firm …

2. RESISTIBLE: But you don’t have to surrender to the mess

12b …be careful that you don’t fall!

3. COMMON: Everyone faces the same kinds of mess every day

But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. 13a

What is a “temptation”?

Proof trial/test: An event or activity that reveals the true character of something.

It can be positive or negative.

• Stress Test at the doctor’s office: Will you go? Will you avoid it?

• A purse falls off the roof of a car: Will you return it?• Someone insults you? Will you take offense? Will you

return with evil words?• Pornographic website link appears on the computer: Will

you click on the link?• You see an ad for something you don’t need but want:

Will you buy it anyway?• You have overheard a juicy piece of gossip: Will you tell

others what you heard?• You see a child abused by someone: Will you deal with

it?• The waiter at the restaurant does an exceptional job:

Will you keep the tip?

4. HINDER: God promises to get in the way of the mess, aiming and controlling it. 13b

NIV: And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.

NLT: And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it.

God’s Promise: Every temptation we experience is just weak enough so that together – with God – we can resist it.

5a. VICTORY: God makes it possible for you to get beyond the mess safely.

When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.

But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Victory over temptation will never be achieved by eliminating temptation.Can’t do it!

5a. VICTORY: God makes it possible for you to get beyond the mess safely.

Temptation…

…to do nothing

…to yield to the temptation

…to fight the temptation with the flesh

Ask God for His grace and experience victory!

Sometimes the “escape” is through a door or window.

Sometimes the “escape” takes us through it.

Sometimes the “escape” is avoiding the “temptation zone” in the first place.

Our Challenge

God’s Promise:

Every temptation we experience

is just weak enough

so that together – with God

we can resist it.

Identify the Temptation/Test

Get God’s Help First

Enjoy the victory!